Minister of Police Judith Collins is calling for a select committee enquiry into how military style weapons are getting into the country. This comes after a large haul of military style firearms were discovered at a South Auckland residence.
14 military-styled guns found by police in the ceiling of a Takanini house in South Auckland has got the Minister of Police calling for an inquiry.
Minister of Police Judith Colins says, “Whenever you see military styled firearms being seized in situations that they have been seized it's really concerning for me as the Minister of police and it should be really concerning for the public.”
Police arrested 37-year-old Shane Hannon in relation to the incident. He was found with a handgun and half a kilo of freshly-made methamphetamine to the value of half a million dollars. A methamphetamine lab was discovered in a hidden dwelling in a Wiri building.
Det Snr Sgt Lloyd Schmid, from the Organised Crime Group says, “Firearms in the hands of criminals and anyone in the criminal community is of great concern to the police, and the mixture of firearms and methamphetamine in clan labs is a volatile mission for us.”
This latest gun incident and the shooting of four police officers in Onepū has got the minister calling for a select committee inquiry, giving the public an opportunity to have a say.
“That's part of parliament, but also is multi-party and every party can be involved in it, and it also allows the public to be involved that will be a really good way forward,” says Collins.
Schmid says, “The focus of our inquiry will very much be on the firearms that have been located, how they came to be in New Zealand, and in whose possession they were. In addition to the methamphetamine that has been manufactured at this location.”
Shane Hannon appeared in the Manukau District court this morning and will reappear to make a plea on April 1. He has been charged with firearm offences and the manufacture and possession of methamphetamine. Police say it's highly likely further charges will be laid.